Evaluation of placenta and fetal lung using shear wave elastography in gestational diabetes mellitus: An innovative approach.

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate placental and fetal lung stiffness in pregnant women with and without gestational diabetes, considering the well-established delay in fetal lung maturation associated with gestational diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary center and included pregnant women who underwent a 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test between 24-28 weeks of gestation. Elastography measurements were performed using point shear wave elastography (pSWE). RESULTS: The study included 60 pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes and 60 pregnant women in the control group. SWE velocity of peripheral placenta, central placenta, and lung were higher in the gestational diabetes group compared to the control group. Furthermore, SWE velocity of peripheral placenta, central placenta, and lung were higher in newborns with neonatal respiratory morbidity. Based on the ROC analysis of gestational diabetes patients the AUC for lung SWE velocity was 0.88 (cut-off 12.4 kPa, 95% CI: 0.77-0.99, p<0.001) with a sensitivity of 71.4% and specificity of 95.6% in predicting neonatal respiratory morbidity. CONCLUSION: Fetal placental and lung stiffness increase in fetuses of pregnant women with diabetes. Moreover, higher fetal lung stiffness during the fetal period is associated with increased neonatal respiratory morbidity. Zweck: Diese Studie zielt darauf ab, die Lungensteifheit der Plazenta und des Fötus bei schwangeren Frauen mit und ohne Schwangerschaftsdiabetes zu untersuchen, wobei die bekannte Verzögerung der fetalen Lungenreifung im Zusammenhang mit Schwangerschaftsdiabetes berücksichtigt wird. Materialien und Methoden: Diese prospektive Kohortenstudie wurde an einem tertiären Zentrum durchgeführt und umfasste schwangere Frauen, die sich zwischen der 24. und 28. Schwangerschaftswoche einem oralen 75-Gramm-Glukosetoleranztest unterzogen. Elastographiemessungen wurden mittels Punktscherwellenelastographie (pSWE) durchgeführt. Ergebnisse: Die Studie umfasste 60 schwangere Frauen mit diagnostiziertem Schwangerschaftsdiabetes und 60 schwangere Frauen in der Kontrollgruppe. Die SWE-Geschwindigkeit der peripheren Plazenta, der zentralen Plazenta und der Lunge war in der Gruppe mit Schwangerschaftsdiabetes höher als in der Kontrollgruppe. Darüber hinaus war die SWE-Geschwindigkeit der peripheren Plazenta, der zentralen Plazenta und der Lunge bei Neugeborenen mit neonataler respiratorischer Morbidität höher. Basierend auf der ROC-Analyse von Patienten mit Schwangerschaftsdiabetes betrug die AUC für die Lungen-SWE-Geschwindigkeit 0,88 (Grenzwert 12,4 kPa, 95 %-KI: 0,77-0,99, p < 0,001) mit einer Sensitivität von 71,4 % und einer Spezifität von 95,6 % bei der Vorhersage neonataler Erkrankungen Atemwegsmorbidität. Schlussfolgerung: Die Steifheit der fetalen Plazenta und der Lunge nimmt bei Feten schwangerer Frauen mit Diabetes zu. Darüber hinaus ist eine höhere fetale Lungensteifheit während der Fetalperiode mit einer erhöhten Atemwegsmorbidität bei Neugeborenen verbunden.

The true natural cycle frozen embryo transfer - impact of patient and follicular phase characteristics on serum progesterone levels one day prior to warmed blastocyst transfer.

BACKGROUND: In a true-natural cycle (t-NC), optimal progesterone (P4) output from the corpus luteum is crucial for establishing and maintaining an intrauterine pregnancy. In a previous retrospective study, low P4 levels (< 10 ng/mL) measured one day before warmed blastocyst transfer in t-NC were associated with significantly lower live-birth rates. In the current study, we aim to examine the relationship between patient, follicular-phase endocrine and ultrasonographic characteristics, and serum P4 levels one day prior to warmed blastocyst transfer in t-NC. METHOD: 178 consecutive women undergoing their first t-NC frozen embryo transfer (FET) between July 2017-August 2022 were included. Following serial ultrasonographic and endocrine monitoring, ovulation was documented by follicular collapse. Luteinized unruptured follicle (LUF) was diagnosed when there was no follicular collapse despite luteinizing-hormone surge (> 17 IU/L) and increased serum P4 (> 1.5 ng/mL). FET was scheduled on follicular collapse + 5 or LH surge + 6 in LUF cycles. Primary outcome was serum P4 on FET - 1. RESULTS: Among the 178 patients, 86% (n = 153) experienced follicular collapse, while 14% (n = 25) had LUF. On FET-1, the median serum luteal P4 level was 12.9 ng/mL (IQR: 9.3-17.2), ranging from 1.8 to 34.4 ng/mL. Linear stepwise regression revealed a negative correlation between body mass index (BMI) and LUF, and a positive correlation between follicular phase peak-E2 and peak-P4 levels with P4 levels on FET-1. The ROC curve analyses to predict < 9.3 ng/mL (< 25th percentile) P4 levels on FET-1 day showed AUC of 0.70 (95%CI 0.61-0.79) for BMI (cut-off: 23.85 kg/m2), 0.71 (95%CI 0.61-0.80) for follicular phase peak-P4 levels (cut-off: 0.87 ng/mL), and 0.68 (95%CI 0.59-0.77) for follicular phase peak-E2 levels (cut-off: 290.5 pg/mL). Combining all four independent parameters yielded an AUC of 0.80 (95%CI 0.72-0.88). The adjusted-odds ratio for having < 9.3 ng/mL P4 levels on FET-1 day for patients with LUF compared to those with follicle collapse was 4.97 (95%CI 1.66-14.94). CONCLUSION: The BMI, LUF, peak-E2, and peak-P4 levels are independent predictors of low serum P4 levels on FET-1 (< 25th percentile; <9.3 ng/ml) in t-NC FET cycles. Recognition of risk factors for low serum P4 on FET-1 may permit a personalized approach for LPS in t-NC FET to maximize reproductive outcomes.

Placental T-Cadherin Correlates With Trophoblastic Invasion Anomalies: Placenta Percreta and Fetal Growth Restriction.

In this study, we compared the placental T-cadherin staining intensity of pregnant women with placenta percreta (PP) and asymmetrical fetal growth restriction (FGR) compared with healthy control pregnancies. Placental T-cadherin levels of the placenta of 86 pregnant women in total, 25 with FGR, 30 with healthy pregnant subjects, and 31 with PP, were examined using monoclonal anti-T-cadherin (CDH13) antibody for immunohistochemical examination. In immunohistochemistry, H -scores were used for each group to compare the expression of T-cadherin in extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells. T-cadherin H -score of EVTs was highest in the FGR group and the lowest in the PP group. The difference in H -score between the FGR group and the control group was not statistically significant ( P =0.344). The difference between the PP group and the other 2 groups was significant ( P <0.0001). Multivariable linear regression analysis with a stepwise elimination method was performed in order to identify demographic and clinical parameters with significant effects on the T-cadherin H -score of EVTs. The estimation results identified only the disease group as a significant predictor of the H -score of EVTs ( R2 =0.340, P <0.0001). The highest T-cadherin H -score of EVTs was found in the FGR group and the lowest in the PP group. The low T-cadherin H-score values in the PP group suggest that low T-cadherin EVTs may be associated with increased placental invasion. Likewise, despite the statistical insignificance, a higher T-cadherin H -score of EVTs in FGR compared with controls implies a decreased invasiveness of the placenta in FGR.

Prediction model for residual high-grade cervical intraepithelial lesions.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate risk factors associated with high-grade cervical intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) in patients undergoing a second cervical excision procedure due to positive surgical margins and to create a prediction model for residual disease. METHODS: This study included patients with HSIL positive surgical margins following loop electrosurgical excision procedures (LEEP) between March 2015 and August 2019. HSIL in the second cervical excision pathology in these patients was accepted as residual disease. For residual disease prediction, a multivariate logistic regression and stepwise elimination analysis of 14 variables including demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, pathology results and HPV genotypes of the patients was performed. RESULTS: Second cervical excision procedures were performed in 290 patients 85(29.4%) of these patients had CIN 2 (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) and 205 (70.6%) had CIN 3. In the second excision procedure, 166 patients (57.2%) had ≤CIN 1, 124 patients (42.8%) had ≥CIN2. The prediction model of residual disease includes only 3 variables out of the 14 different clinical characteristics (AUC=0.605 [0.539-0.671]). These variables are gravida (adjusted OR: 1.15 [0.97-1.38], P=0.107), CIN2-3 presence in the endocervical canal in the first LEEP specimen (adjusted OR: 1.52 [0.94-2.47], P=0.091) and the presence of HR-HPV except 16/18 lesions (adjusted OR: 0.64 [0.38-1.06], P=0.083). CONCLUSIONS: A prediction model was designed with our data, from variables reported to be risk factors for residual disease in previous studies. While this model was statistically significant, it was poor at distinguishing residual disease. A prediction model can be designed to guide clinicians with future studies.

Effect of the Covid 19 pandemic on depression and mother-infant bonding in uninfected postpartum women in a rural region.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression and maternal-infant attachment scores were examined in uninfected women during the COVID 19 pandemic in Kutahya, a rural province in Turkey's North Aegean region. METHODS: This cohort study was conducted in the Kutahya Health Sciences University Hospital obstetrics unit between April 2021 and August 2021. 178 low-risk term pregnant women who gave birth were given the surveys Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale and Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBQ) 6 weeks after birth. The Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale was used to determine postpartum depression and the Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale was used to determine maternal attachment. RESULTS: In this study, the postpartum depression rate was calculated as 17.4%. When depressed and non-depressed patients were compared, education level, maternal age, BMI, MIBQ score, history of previous pregnancies, route of delivery, previous operation history, economic status, employment status and pregnancy follow-up information were found to be similar (p > 0.05). The ratings on the Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale were found to be similar in depressed and non-depressed patients (p > 0.05). The odds of maternal depression for patients who received guests at home was 3.068 (95%CI [1.149-8.191]) times the odds of patients who did not receive guests at home. CONCLUSIONS: Although a relationship has been found between accepting guests in the postpartum period and postpartum depression, it is necessary to investigate in further studies whether there is a causal relationship.

Comparison of the different PCOS phenotypes based on monocyte to HDL cholesterol ratio.

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the degree of inflammation in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) phenotypes by comparing the monocyte-to- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratios showing inflammatory and oxidative stress among different phenotypes of PCOS. In this case-control study, we studied 186 women with PCOS and 59 age-matched healthy women. PCOS women were prospectively classified into four phenotypes based on NIH Expert Panel criteria. The degree of inflammation between the non-PCOS control group and four PCOS phenotypes was compared by measuring monocyte-to high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR). The prevalence of phenotypes A, B, C and D were 29%, 22%, 26% and 23%, respectively. MHR was found to be the highest in phenotype A (13.7 ± 4.9) among the PCOS phenotypes and the lowest level was found in phenotype D (9.0 ± 1.9), which is the non-androgenic phenotype. MHR were significantly different across the four PCOS phenotypes; with the highest value were present with phenotype A. As an easily accessible simple marker, the monocyte/HDL ratio may be promising for detecting at-risk metabolic phenotypes in PCOS.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a syndrome that progresses with chronic inflammation and has long-term effects such as diabetes and cardiovascular risk. The inflammatory process in PCOS has been demonstrated by many parameters.What do the results of this study add? The level of inflammation among PCOS phenotypes in Turkish women was evaluated by the monocyte-to high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR). Inflammatory cytokines have been studied extensively in the literature comparing PCOS and non-PCOS patients, but studies of inflammatory levels between PCOS phenotypes are rare.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Inflammatory status in PCOS is important in terms of disease severity and long-term complications. It is now important to apply a clinical approach, knowing that PCOS is no longer a single syndrome but a difference in phenotypes. In future studies, it is necessary to investigate the phenotypes of patients with PCOS with different inflammatory markers.

Can prepartum platelet indices be a parameter to predict postpartum hemorrhage?

OBJECTIVE: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is the single largest contributor to maternal mortality worldwide. It has been demonstrated that certain platelet parameters are indicative of platelet reactivity. The aim of this study was to determine whether antenatal platelet indices can be used as risk factors in the prediction of primary PPH. METHODS: This comparative case-control study involved 3207 pregnant women at term who were recruited over one year period in Istanbul. Postpartum hemorrhage, defined as blood loss ≥1000 mL within 24 h after delivery. The study group consisted of 42 patients who developed primary PPH after vaginal delivery without defined risk factors. The patients in the control group were matched with age, parity, body mass index (BMI), and hemoglobin value. Platelet indices - platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width, and plateletcrit were measured prior to delivery and evaluated for the prediction of PPH. RESULTS: Prepartum MPV and PDW values were determined to be lower in the patients with in the PPH group, when compared to the healthy group (respectively, p < .001 and p < .004). By receiver-operating characteristic analysis, MPV and PDW were able to distinguish between patients with and without any bleeding (respectively, AUC 0.823, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.735-0.912, (AUC) 0.682, 95% CI 0.569-0.795). Prepartum MPV (cutoff = 10.95 fL) had a high AUC (>0.8) for predicting PPH, with a specificity of 81% and sensitivity of 69%. CONCLUSION: Results suggest a novel hypothesis that pre-delivery lower MPV value may be used predicting PPH.

The effects of exogenous oral micronized progesterone on first trimester aneuploidy screening markers in women with threatened miscarriage: a matched case control study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of using progesterone due to early vaginal bleeding on aneuploidy screening markers in the first trimester. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This case control study includes the pregnant women who applied to our clinic in order to have a screening test for Down syndrome in the weeks of 11°/7-136/7. The patients were divided into three groups. Self reported vaginal bleeding with progesterone therapy (Bl+, Prg+, n:70), Self reported vaginal bleeding without progesterone therapy (Bl+, Prg-, n:70) and as a control group pregnant women who had no vaginal bleeding. (NoBl, NoPrg, n:70). In all patients, free beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (ß-hCG), pregnancy associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) levels and nuchal translucency (NT) thickness were analyzed. Mean MoMs of the markers were compared between three groups. RESULTS: In the two groups with vaginal bleeding (Bl+, Prg + and Bl+, Prg-) the free ß-Hcg MoM values were statistically higher (1.22 ± 0.72, 0.98 ± 0.45, respectively) compared to the No Bleeding/No Progesterone group (0.81 ± 0.52) (p ≤ 0.001, p ≤ .01, respectively). However, no significant difference was found between the free ß-hCG MoM value of women with Bl+, Prg + group (1.22 ± 0.72) and Bl+, Prg - group (0.98 ± 0.45). (p: .053, significance level limitation with Bonferroni correction p: .017). PAPP-A and NT thickness did not differ significantly between the groups. CONCLUSION: Our data did not find an association between the use of oral progesterone and any alternations in first trimester screening parameters. Regardless of the progesterone usage, vaginal bleeding in the first trimester pregnancies increased the free ß-hCG MoM values compared to pregnancies without vaginal bleeding during pregnancy.

The relationship between inflammation markers and ketonuria in hyperemesis gravidarum.

OBJECTIVE: Hyperemesis gravidarum is an illness that starts in early pregnancy and manifests itself with oral intake problems, electrolyte imbalance, ketonuria, and weight loss. Inflammation is closely associated with the hyperemesis gravidarum, and inflammatory indicators have been studied to understand its pathophysiology. This study investigates the relationship of ketonuria levels with inflammatory markers platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for hyperemesis gravidarum patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective case control study was conducted at Kütahya Medical Sciences University Tertiary Research and Training Hospital between December 2019 and December 2020. A total of 173 pregnancies, 82 of them with hyperemesis gravidarum and 91 of them low-risk pregnancies were included in the study. The patients' demographic profiles and laboratory parameters were recorded. The patients were divided into hyperemesis gravidarum and control groups and the groups were compared for the levels of inflammation markers. For the hyperemesis gravidarum group, the relationship between ketonuria levels and the inflammation severity was investigated. RESULTS: MLR, NLR, PLR levels were higher in the hyperemesis gravidarum group than the control group in a statistically significant way (p < 0.001 for all of the comparisons). The hyperemesis gravidarum group was subdivided into four groups based on their ketonuria levels, and their MLR, NLR, PLR levels were compared. The differences between the groups were statistically significant (p < 0.001) and the indicators increased with the ketonuria levels. Finally, ketonuria levels had a positive and significant correlation with MLR (rho =0.67, p < 0.001), PLR (rho =0.67, p < 0.001), and NLR (rho =0.8, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Hyperemesis gravidarum patients have higher levels of hematologic inflammation indicators than healthy pregnant patients. For these patients, the levels of the indicators increase with ketonuria levels.

Comparison of serum human Klotho levels and thiol/disulfide homeostasis in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and in healthy women.

OBJECTIVES: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have an increased cardiometabolic risk. Similarly, it was previously shown that atherosclerotic and cardiovascular risk is increased in the general population with lower serum Klotho levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the lotho and thiol/disulfide levels in women with non-obese PCOS compared to healthy controls and also to investigate the relationship of serum Klotho and thiol/disulfide homeostasis with cardiometabolic risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective case control study, human serum alpha Klotho levels and thiol/disulfide homeostasis of women with PCOS aged between 19-33 were compared to their age and BMI matched non - PCOS healthy controls. In addition, the correlation of these molecules with other metabolic markers/measurements were also investigated. RESULTS: Metabolic parameters such as mean waist circumference, lipid accumulation product, visceral adiposity index, fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and triglyceride values were higher in the PCOS group (p = 0.038, p = 0.008, p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.002 and p = 0.002, respectively) compared to controls. However, mean serum Klotho and native thiol levels (respectively p < 0.0001 and p = 0.038) were lower compared to controls. Correlation analysis revealed that serum Klotho levels were negatively correlated with BMI, waist circumference, disulphide/total thiol, disulphide/native thiol, HOMA-IR and LAP-index. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of decreased serum Klotho and native thiol values of the PCOS group compared to controls and the negative correlation of serum Klotho levels with metabolic markers supports the idea that decreased Klotho may be another mechanism by which cardiovascular risk is increased in women with PCOS.

Evaluation of the consistency ratios of cervical smear, cervical biopsy and conization results.

OBJECTIVES: Possible discrepancies between the cervical smear, biopsy histology and loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) results of the same patient is a matter of debate in the literature. In this study, we investigate the degree to which these results differ, and the clinical reasons for these differences. MATERIAL AND METHODS: With a retrospective design, cervical smear, cervical biopsy and LEEP results of patients were compared in terms of consistency. One hundred sixty-four patients who underwent till LEEP procedure due to pathologic initial smear and biopsy results between January 2015 and March 2020 were included in the study. RESULTS: Exact diagnosis discrepancy and high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) discrepancy were 78.9% and 50.0% between smear and cervical biopsy, 64.6% and 31.7% between cervical smear and LEEP and 43.8% and 28.1% between cervical biopsy and LEEP results, respectively. Age did not affect the consistency rates of pathologic results between smear-biopsy (p = 0.408) and biopsy-LEEP (p = 0.590). However, the probability of the consistency of smear and LEEP results exhibited a statistically significant linear relation with age (OR = 1.043, p = 0.015). HPV infections did not affect the discrepancy between smear-biopsy (p = 0.533), smear-LEEP (p = 1.000) and biopsy-LEEP (p = 0.529). CONCLUSIONS: Smear technique has a serious discrepancy and under-diagnosis problem when its results are compared with biopsy and LEEP. The consistency between smear and LEEP results appears to improve with age. When HSIL is evaluated in terms of detection, this discrepancy decreases. A smear test can detect HSIL and carcinoma with a higher accuracy than low-grade lesions.

Metformin reduces ovarian ischemia reperfusion injury in rats by improving oxidative/nitrosative stress.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the preventive role of metformin on rat ovarian ischemia reperfusion injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty rats were divided equally into five groups; Group 1: sham, Group 2: surgical control with 3-hr torsion and detorsion, Group 3: 50 mg/kg p.o. metformin 30 min before 3-hr torsion, Group 4; metformin just after detorsion, Group 5; metformin 30 min before torsion and just after detorsion. Bilateral ovaries and blood sample were obtained seven days after detorsion for biochemical and histopathological evaluation. RESULTS: Ovarian tissue total anti-oxidant status (TAS) levels were significantly increased in group 4 when compared to group 1, 2 and 3 (all p < 0.01). In addition, there was a significant decrease in tissue oxidative stress index (OSI) level in group 4 with respect to group 2 (p < 0.01). Moreover, serum levels of OSI were significantly higher in group 2 with respect to group 1 and 5 (both p < 0.05). Similarly, there was significant increase in serum levels of peroxynitrite in group 2 as compared to serum levels in group 3 and 5 (p < 0.01 and 0.05, respectively). Furthermore, there were significant decrease in histopathological scores metformin and sham groups when compared to rats in the control group (Group 2). CONCLUSION: Metformin reduces ischemia reperfusion injury in rat torsion detorsion model by improving histopathological and biochemical findings including TAS, OSI and peroxynitrite.

M-mode Ultrasound Scan as a Potential Alternative Technique for Monitoring Uterine Contractions in Obese Patients.

We investigate motion mode (M-mode) ultrasound scan as a potential non-invasive uterine monitoring technique and compare its contraction characteristics with external tocodynamometry (TOCO). This prospective diagnostic accuracy study included 39 term pregnant woman in active spontaneous labor. M-mode and TOCO were simultaneously performed and uterine contraction characteristics and consistency were compared quantitatively and visually. The results identified a 71.5% ± 35.3% uterine wall thickening during uterine contractions on M-mode. Uterine monitoring with M-mode had a consistency rate of 88.7% ± 6.9% with conventional TOCO method. During 20-min monitoring, the number of detected contractions was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in M-mode (8.2 ± 1.2) than TOCO (7.4 ± 1.5). As for the mean value of the duration of a contraction (seconds), it was significantly shorter (p < 0.001) in M-mode (38.5 ± 3.5) than TOCO (49.2 ± 4.1). For M-mode, the number of detected contractions had a negative but insignificant correlation with the body mass index (BMI) (r = - 0.25 [- 0.52, 0.07], p = 0.127) and the subcutaneous tissue thickness (STT) (r = - 0.21 [- 0.49, 0.11], p = 0.200). As for TOCO, the contractions had a negative and significant correlation with BMI (r = - 0.41 [- 0.64, - 0.11], p = 0.009) and negative and insignificant correlation with STT (r = - 0.26 [- 0.54, 0.06], p = 0.104). The evidence suggests that contraction detection with M-mode is a promising non-invasive technique for uterine monitoring. The preliminary analysis finds that contraction detection is not affected by BMI or STT. With future sensitivity studies, and improvements in image-processing and software technologies, the proposed technique promises to be a viable alternative to existing techniques, especially for obese patients.

Influence of preoperative enema application on the return of gastrointestinal function in elective Cesarean sections: a randomized controlled trial.

AIM: There is an extensive literature on the mechanical bowel preparation by an enema in colorectal, abdominal, and gynecologic surgeries that provide evidence against the use of enema. There are, however, few studies investigating the effect of enema prior to elective Cesarean sections. The aim of this study is to investigate whether preoperative enema facilitates the return of gastrointestinal activity in pregnant women undergoing elective Cesarean section. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The surgeon-blinded prospective randomized controlled study included 225 elective Cesarean patients between the ages of 18 and 44. The patients were randomized into two groups: those who had enema preoperatively (n = 114) and those who did not (n = 111). The outcome measures were first bowel sound time and first flatus time, the length of hospital stay, the rate of mid ileus symptoms, and additional analgesic and antiemetic need. RESULTS: In the non-enema group, the time of the first bowel sound, flatus time, length of hospital stay, the rates of additional analgesic need, additional antiemetic need, and mild ileus symptoms were respectively 10.5 ± 5.8 hours, 16.0 ± 7.6 hours, 1.9 ± 0.3 days, 8.1%, 7.2%, and 2.7%. For the enema group, the same parameters were respectively 11.6 ± 4.7 hours, 17.5 ± 6.5 hours, 1.8 ± 0.3 days, 7%, 6.1% ,and 1.8%. For all parameters, the difference between the groups was not statistically significant (p values were respectively .09, .12, .8, .79, .68, and .26). CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that preoperative enema in elective cesarean sections does not prevent postoperative gastrointestinal complications and does not shorten the recovery of bowel movements or length of hospital stay.

The effect of human papilloma virus vaccination on embryo yield and clinical in vitro fertilisation outcomes: a matched retrospective cohort study.

The effects of HPV vaccination on embryo yield and pregnancy outcomes in IVF cycles with fresh embryo transfer (ET) were investigated. First, embryo yielding rates (EYR) in 2795 cycles with and without HPV vaccination were compared by retrospective cohort study design. EYR of HPV vaccinated and non-vaccinated patients were not significantly different (OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 0.76-3.63). Second, ET outcomes were compared for 155 HPV vaccine + cycles and 465 HPV vaccine - cycles after matching for ages and cycle attempt number. The differences in the number of retrieved oocytes (10.2 ± 6.1, 11.2 ± 6.7; p = .161), mature (MII) oocytes (8.7 ± 5.7, 9.8 ± 6.3; p = .088), two pronuclear zygotes (2PN) (5.4 ± 4.1, 6.1 ± 4.6; p = .110) and fertilisation rates (0.62 ± 0.23, 0.62 ± 0.23; p = .539) were insignificant between the two groups. Moreover, positive (OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.47-1.16), clinical (0.60; 0.36-1.01) and the ongoing pregnancy (0.55; 0.30-1.01) rates were lower in the HPV vaccinated group but the difference was not statistically significant.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? There are recent case studies that report premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) following a post-vaccination autoimmune response against the HPV vaccine. These studies suggest that the possible trigger for the immune reaction might be the immunogen content of the vaccine. However, the number of clinical studies investigating the effects of the HPV vaccine on reproductive function and in vitro fertilisation outcomes is limited.What do the results of this study add? In contrast to the case reports suggesting impaired reproductive and ovarian functions in HPV vaccinated patients, this study finds that in IVF patients HPV vaccinated and non-vaccinated women have similar EYR, MII, 2PN, oocyte counts, fertilisation rates, positive, clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The results suggest the HPV vaccine does not have a negative impact on embryo yielding rates oocyte counts and fertilisation rates, positive, clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates in IVF treatments. Hence, they can be safely used for primary prevention against cervical cancer.

Melatonin attenuates ovarian ischemia reperfusion injury in rats by decreasing oxidative stress index and peroxynitrite

Background/aim: To evaluate the protective effect of melatonin on ovarian ischemia reperfusion injury in a rat model. Materials and methods: Forty-eight rats were separated equally into 6 groups. Group 1: sham; Group 2: surgical control with 3-h bilateral ovarian torsion and detorsion; Group 3: intraperitoneal 5% ethanol (1 mL) just after detorsion (as melatonin was dissolved in ethanol); Group 4: 10 mg/kg intraperitoneal melatonin 30 min before 3-h torsion; Group 5:10 mg/kg intraperitoneal melatonin just after detorsion; Group 6:10 mg/kg intraperitoneal melatonin 30 min before torsion and just after detorsion. Both ovaries and blood samples were obtained 7 days after detorsion for histopathological and biochemical analysis. Results: In Group 1, serum levels of total oxidant status (TOS) (µmol H2O2 equivalent/g wet tissue)were significantly lower than in Group2 (P = 0.0023), while tissue TOS levels were lower than in Group 3 (P = 0.0030). Similarly, serum and tissue levels of peroxynitrite in Group 6were significantly lower than those ofGroup 2 (P = 0.0023 and P = 0.040, respectively). Moreover, serum oxidative stress index (OSI) (arbitrary unit) levels were significantly increased in Group 2 when compared to groups 1 and 6 (P = 0.0023 and P= 0.0016, respectively) and in Group 3 with respect to groups 1, 4, 5, and 6 (P = 0.0023, P = 0.0026, P = 0.0008, and P = 0.0011, respectively). Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in histopathological scores including follicular degeneration, vascular congestion, hemorrhage, and inflammation in the melatonin and sham groups in comparison with control groups. Additionally, primordial follicle count was significantly higher in Group 6 than in Group 2 (P = 0.0002). Conclusion: Melatonin attenuates ischemia reperfusion damage in a rat torsion/detorsion model by improving histopathological and biochemical findings including OSI and peroxynitrite.

Octreotide and lanreotide decrease ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by improving oxidative and nitrosative stress.

AIM: To investigate the protective effect of octreotide and lanreotide on ovarian damage in experimental ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS: Fifty-six rats were separated into seven groups; group 1: sham group, group 2: surgical control group with 3-h torsion and detorsion, group 3: 0.02 mg/kg s.c. octreotide 30 min before 3-h torsion, group 4; octreotide just after detorsion for 7 days, group 5: octreotide 30 min before torsion and just after detorsion for 7 days, group 6: single time 20 mg/kg s.c. lanreotide before torsion, group 7: single time lanreotide just after detorsion. RESULTS: All histopathological scores except congestion were significantly lower in group 1 than other groups. In addition, hemorrhage (group 2 vs 4: P < 0.05), degeneration (group 2 vs 4: P < 0.05, group 2 vs 5: P < 0.01 and group 2 vs 6: P < 0.05) and total damage score (group 2 vs 4: P < 0.05, group 2 vs 5: P < 0.05, group 2 vs 6: P < 0.05 and group 2 vs 7: P < 0.05) were significantly lower than other groups. Moreover, ovarian tissue total oxidant status and oxidative stress index levels were significantly decreased in groups 5 (both P < 0.05) and 7 (both P < 0.05) when compared to group 2. Furthermore, tissue levels of peroxynitrite were significantly higher in group 2 than groups 1, 3 and 5 (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Octreotide and lanreotide have a protective role against ischemia-reperfusion damage in rat torsion detorsion model by improving histopathological and biochemical findings including tissue levels of total oxidant status, oxidative stress index and peroxynitrite.